Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, PA with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (1,853 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Wilkes Barre is located in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Wilkes-Barre or VWC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Wilkes Barre than VWC ($16,621 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 21.9% lower than at Penn State Wilkes Barre ($11,930 vs. $15,274).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 162.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $23,220 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.2% higher at VWC than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $13,494 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 207.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($29,923 vs. $9,742).

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Wilkes-Barre or VWC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VWC and Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Wilkes-Barre and VWC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Virginia Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Wilkes Barre graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.